The Oshana Boxing Federation (OBF) is determined to make a powerful impact at the upcoming National Youth Games, which are set to take place in the region this month. 

With all 14 regions competing for top honours, local boxing experts see this as the perfect opportunity to break their recent streak of underwhelming performances. 

The home-field advantage could be the key to securing victory. Speaking to this publication, coach and promoter Joseph Bernhard said the region can seize the opportunity. 

“If you look at the past four to five Youth Games, we’ve lacked impactful boxers from our region dominating the tournament. What happened to our boxers? Oshana used to be the hub for producing top amateur boxers who would develop into great fighters, but that has all changed,” one expert commented.

“I believe that with us hosting the games this year, we have a chance to turn things around, earn points, and produce top fighters who can represent Namibia at the regional and continental levels. We’ve fallen short in the past, and I think this is the perfect opportunity for us to redeem ourselves,” he added. 

This year’s games will kick off next week, running from 11 to 15 September in the northern town of Oshakati. Oshana has assembled a team of 13 boxers across various divisions. Bernhard, a member of Oshana’s technical boxing team, expressed optimism that the team will do the region proud.

“We carefully selected the best 13 boxers for this event during the recent MTC Kilimanjaro Boxing Bonanza, and we’re confident the team will deliver. The squad includes seasoned amateur boxers, some of whom have recently performed well in international competitions,” he said.

“We’re also finalising our preparations, and the boys have been in camp, getting into shape. Oshana has struggled in the past, and we’re determined to bring back the glory days,” he added.

The Youth Games aim to develop talent at the grassroots level, featuring sport codes such as football, netball, volleyball, basketball, boxing, tennis, athletics and para-sport. 

– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na